I don't claim benefits, don't work either - what to do ?

agrinnall

At 22 you have another 45 years (at least) in which to pay the 30 years of NI contributions to be eligible for a full pension. You probably already have a few years, you can check with the Contributions Agency, so you can decide for yourself whether you think you need the credits now. If you do sign on to get them then you have to remember that you will be required to show exactly the same job seeking activities as if you were actually getting paid JSA.

Amanita_2

agrinnall wrote: »

At 22 you have another 45 years (at least) in which to pay the 30 years of NI contributions to be eligible for a full pension. You probably already have a few years, you can check with the Contributions Agency, so you can decide for yourself whether you think you need the credits now. If you do sign on to get them then you have to remember that you will be required to show exactly the same job seeking activities as if you were actually getting paid JSA.

Although you only need 30 years of credits to claim a full state pension under current requirements state pensions are a political football and it is always possible that this could be increased in the future. Who knows.

JamesK10

macintosh-uk wrote: »

A deceased relative gave me the savings.

I have worked on and off short term jobs.

Like I said, I don't know what the NI credits are and if I should claim them, or be getting them.

The answer is for the first X months it would be contribution-based JSA and if you've only done on-off jobs then what you get might not last the whole six months if you get anything. I was moved to signing on to just my "stamp" after six months. After that either too high savings or a mortgage protection policy will stop you getting any actual benefit but you will still get the NI.

If you get yourself registered with several temping agencies to try to get more than a day here and a day there then you won't have to sign on for it, as you'll earn it when working despite the rebates that will come from earning less than £9,205. If you do sign on for it then the upside is at least, that DWP will become your "employer" and give you a P45 when you get a job. It keeps the bureaucracy tidy and the general state pension contributions will remain uninterrupted (even though we all know that that's some silly amount per week like a few pence) so it's worth it unless temp work is going well enough to keep you afloat.

Best ring the free number (check the DirectGov website for the freephone number for new claims) and ask them. Generally it'll just be a different form to fill out when you first go there and check with them whether you qualify.

CCFC_80

Amanita wrote: »

Although you only need 30 years of credits to claim a full state pension under current requirements state pensions are a political football and it is always possible that this could be increased in the future. Who knows.

I very much doubt that. This government has done some nasty things regarding the state pension raising the retirement age but there would be complete outrage if this was implemented.

My situation is similar to the OP's as I have savings but already have 30 years on NI contribuitions for state pension.

As a previous poster has stated, you only need 30 years of your working life to make full NI contributions for a state pension.

If anyone chooses to get their NI contributions credited by signing on, they will still need to meet the criteria of ordinary Job seekers claimants and being forced to jump though hoops just to get their NI contribuitions credited

Lith

You can't claim because of too much savings.

and let me guess... you actually told them that ? lol...


broaden ya mind fella.

CCFC_80

Lith wrote: »

You can't claim because of too much savings.

and let me guess... you actually told them that ? lol...


broaden ya mind fella.

So you are encouraging the OP to commit benefit fraud are you ??

Righty Ho:eek:

macintosh-uk

My problem is I feel like I am stuck in the middle and out of the system -

and I don't consider it fair I have to go to the job centre to get these credits, seems degrading.

Lith

CCFC_80 wrote: »

So you are encouraging the OP to commit benefit fraud are you ??

Righty Ho:eek:

Did i say that?

'rolls eyes'


if it was me, i would give keep the savings at home,
(depends how much)

Then claim JSA, the system is a screw up anyway, I wouldn't spend my savings to survive i would claim JSA asap,


plus being honest to the JSA can backfire at time to times.... remember kids play fire with fire sometimes its a wiser choice,


JC dont respect you, so why the hell you should respect them.

:rotfl:


but meh, up to him,

CCFC_80

macintosh-uk wrote: »

My problem is I feel like I am stuck in the middle and out of the system -

and I don't consider it fair I have to go to the job centre to get these credits, seems degrading.

You don't need to claim them if you do not want too. You have to only have 30 full years to qualify for state pension. As you are 22, I am guessing you would have already qualified for some of those years. The earliest you will retire for state pension at present is 67

CCFC_80

Lith wrote: »

Did i say that?

'rolls eyes'


if it was me, i would give keep the savings at home,
(depends how much)

Still benefit fraud

Then claim JSA, the system is a screw up anyway, I wouldn't spend my savings to survive i would claim JSA asap,


plus being honest to the JSA can backfire at time to times.... remember kids play fire with fire sometimes its a wiser choice,

Really ?

JC dont respect you, so why the hell you should respect them.

:rotfl:
Not a case of respect,benefit fraud is a serious issue

but meh, up to him,

Dead right, and taking your advise to commit benefit fraud is irresponsible and shouldn't be encouraged.